Belle Tout Lighthouse: The Early Years, Trinity House and the Story of a Maritime Landmark Discover the fascinating history of Belle Tout Lighthouse at Beachy Head, from its construction by Trinity House in the nineteenth century to the arrival of Beachy Head Lighthouse in 1902. Perched dramatically on the clifftops of Beachy Head in East […]
Seven decades after one family began restoring Belle Tout Lighthouse, their descendants joined its current owners and local dignitaries to celebrate the extraordinary story of a landmark saved for future generations. There are buildings with history, and then there is Belle Tout Lighthouse. Perched high above the Sussex coastline at Beachy Head, its story is […]
Belle Tout at 70: Celebrating Seven Decades of an Extraordinary Lighthouse On 20th September 2026, owner David Shaw and architect Dominic Cullinan joined Sarah Gorrell on BBC Radio Sussex to talk about the 70th anniversary celebrations. After the second world war, there were suggestions that the ruined Lighthouse should simply be demolished and its granite […]
Why granite? Belle Tout Lighthouse Tower is constructed from Granite, which was used extensively in 19th-century lighthouse construction, because it solved several major engineering problems at once. Why granite was preferred? Strength against waves and storms. Lighthouses on exposed coasts had to survive: hurricane-force winds, saltwater corrosion, constant wave impact, and flying shingle or debris. […]
The year is 1834…. When Belle Tout Lighthouse first shone in 1834, Britain was lit by candlelight, messages travelled no faster than horses or ships, and the Industrial Revolution was only beginning to reshape the world. When the lighthouse opened, Queen Victoria had not yet taken the throne, photography was in its infancy, and crossing […]
There’s lots going on this Summer in and around Eastbourne. Discover Eastbourne’s Coastline, Culture and Coastal Walks There are few places in Britain where summer feels quite as cinematic as Eastbourne. With dramatic chalk cliffs, sea air rolling across the South Downs and long golden evenings over the English Channel, the Sussex coast comes alive […]
Belle Tout Lighthouse Beachy Head Eastbourne East Sussex BN20 0AE By Taxi The Belle Tout Lighthouse is situated six miles from Eastbourne’s main railway station. It will take approximately 15 minutes to drive. Sussex Cars (24 hour) 01323 726 726 / 0500 12 12 93 (Freephone) By Car Just 44 Miles south of the M25, […]
The nearest pub to Belle Tout Lighthouse is The Beachy Head, part of the Vintage Inns chain, and is just 5 minutes away by car. They serve good ‘pub’ food all day. In the other direction is The Tiger pub in the village of East Dean offering a slightly ‘finer’ selection of meals – there […]
Perched high above the dramatic cliffs of Beachy Head, the historic Belle Tout Lighthouse has welcomed travellers for nearly two centuries. Today, this iconic landmark offers a truly unique bed and breakfast experience on the stunning East Sussex coastline. In 1691, local petitions called for a lighthouse to protect sailors navigating this dangerous stretch of […]
The Seven Sisters The Seven Sisters National Park sits between the towns of Seaford and Eastbourne. The prominent undulations of the chalk cliffs that tower above the English Channel have names as follows. Starting at Cuckmere Haven in the West Haven Brow Short Bottom Short Brow Limekiln Bottom Rough Brow Rough Bottom Brass Point Gap […]